Storage and display container

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a container positionable between a storage position and a display position is provided comprised of a rectangular display panel having a planar display side for mounting an article to be displayed. The display panel maintains upper and lower edges as well as first and second side edges. An upper rectangular panel is also provided which has upper and lower edges and first and second side edges, where the lower edge is hingedly connected to the upper edge of the display panel.  
     A lower rectangular panel is provided which has upper and lower edges and first and second side edges, where the upper edge is hingedly connected to the lower side edge of the display panel. The container is also comprised of first and second triangluar side panels, where the triangular side panels each have an upper side edge, a lower side edge and a hypotenuse side. The hypotenuse sides of the first and second triangular side panels are each hingedly connected to the respective first and second side edges of the rectangular display panel.  
     When the container is oriented in the display position, the container forms a triangular prism where the display side of the rectangular display panel is outwardly facing. When the container is oriented in the storage position, the container forms forming a triangular prism where the display side of the rectangular display panel is inwardly facing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a container for mounting an article to be displayed. More specifically, this invention relates to a container for mounting an article to be displayed, positionable between a storage position and a display position.

BACKGROUND

[0002] There are many means available in the retail industry for displaying items for sale and, in particular, small items such as jewelry. These displays are designed not only for convenient handling but also for their ability to suitably display the merchandise.

[0003] In addition to display means there are many means available in the retail industry for storage of individual items for sale, particularly smaller retails items such as jewelry. Packaging such as jewelry boxes are often used for storage of individual jewelry items for sale.

[0004] Also available in the retail industry are packaging configurations combining both storage and display of jewelry and other related smaller retail items such as watches. For example, some packaging configurations are comprised of a display insert which is fitted into a storage box. This display insert is used to display the merchandise and also to hold the jewelry in position. The display is of a shape such that, when sold, the display can be folded down into the storage box so as to secure the items during storage. These packaging configurations are not only advantageous from the retailers position but they are also utilized by the consumer after purchase in order to conveniently display and store their jewelry at home.

[0005] However, there are several drawbacks to these combination storage and display configurations. For example, the cost of manufacturing is increased because the storage box needs to be manufactured separate from the display portion. In fact, in some cases the storage box is made of cardboard and the display is made of plastic. Other problems include the durability of the cardboard storage boxes and uniformity problems associated with different sized displays and different sized storage boxes.

[0006] As such, there exists a need in the retail industry, and in particular, the jewelry retail industry for a combination storage and display container which is durable, easy to manufacture, easy to use, and which provides versatility in displaying various jewelry types. The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems associated with the prior art and provides container positionable between a storage position and a display position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To this end, a container positionable between a storage position and a display position is provided comprised of a rectangular display panel having a planar display side for mounting an article to be displayed. The display panel maintains upper and lower edges as well as first and second side edges. An upper rectangular panel is also provided which has upper and lower edges and first and second side edges, where the lower edge is hingedly connected to the upper edge of the display panel.

[0008] A lower rectangular panel is provided which has upper and lower edges and first and second side edges, where the upper edge is hingedly connected to the lower side edge of the display panel. The container is also comprised of first and second triangluar side panels, where the triangular side panels each have an upper side edge, a lower side edge and a hypotenuse side. The hypotenuse sides of the first and second triangular side panels are each hingedly connected to the respective first and second side edges of the rectangular display panel.

[0009] When the container is oriented in the display position, the upper and lower rectangular panels and the first and second triangular side panels are positioned behind the plane of the display panel so that the upper edges of the first and second triangular side panels are coupled to the first and second side edges of the upper rectangular panel. The lower edges of the first and second triangular side panels are coupled to the first and second side edges of the lower rectangular panel. The upper edge of the upper rectangular panel is coupled to the lower edge of the lower rectangular panel forming a triangular prism where the display side of the rectangular display panel is outwardly facing.

[0010] When the container is oriented in the storage position, the upper and lower rectangular panels and the first and second triangular side panels are positioned in front of the plane of the display panel so that the upper edges of the first and second triangular side panels are coupled to the first and second side edges of said upper rectangular panel. The lower edges of the first and second triangular side panels are coupled to the first and second side edges of the lower rectangular panel. The upper edge of the upper rectangular panel is coupled to the lower edge of the lower rectangular panel forming a triangular prism where the display side of the rectangular display panel is inwardly facing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the container in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the container in a folded display position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the container in a folded storage position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the container in a folded storage position with a cut away panel for viewing the inside of the container, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an open container 10 positionable between a storage position and a display position. Container 10 is comprised of a rectangular display panel 12 having a planar display side 14 for mounting an article to be displayed. Display panel 12 has upper and lower edges 16 and 18 and first and second side edges 20 and 22.

[0016] An upper rectangular panel 24 is attached to upper edge 16 of display panel 12, and has upper and lower edges 26 and 28 and first and second side edges 30 and 32. Lower edge 28 of upper panel 24 is hingedly connected to upper edge 16 of display panel 12.

[0017] A lower rectangular panel 34 is attached to upper edge 18 of display panel 12, and has upper and lower edges 36 and 38 and first and second side edges 40 and 42. Upper edge 36 of lower panel 34 is hingedly connected to lower edge 18 of display panel 12.

[0018] First and second triangular side panels 44 and 46 each have upper side edges 48 and 50, lower side edges 52 and 54 and hypotenuse side edges 56 and 58. Hypotenuse side edges 56 and 58 of first and second triangular side panels 44 and 46 are each hingedly attached to respective first and second side edges 20 and 22 of rectangular display panel 12.

[0019] A latch connector 60 is positioned in the middle of upper edge 26 of upper panel 24 configured to be received in latch acceptor 62, disposed in the middle of lower edge 38 of lower panel 34. Latch connector 60 can securedly attach to latch acceptor 62 in both the later described display and storage positions.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, container 10 is of a unitary construction such that display panel 12, upper panel 24, lower panel 34 and first and second side panels 44 and 46 are all single homogeneous structure. The hinged connection points between the panels, for example, the connection of upper panel 24 and display panel 12 along upper edge 16 and lower edge 28, are constructed of living hinges formed by pressure molding along the connection lines. Although, the present example makes use of living hinges formed in a continuous structure for container 10, this is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Panels 12, 24, 34, 44 and 46 may be connected in different manners so long as they meet all of the requirements necessary to carry out the functions of container 10 as both a display and storage device.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, container 10 is constructed of plastic. Any form of plastic which is sufficiently rigid to maintain the display and the storage properties of container 10 is within the contemplation of the present invention. The plastic can be either transparent, translucent or opaque depending on the retailers specifications.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, container 10 is manufactured by injection molding. Because container 10 can easily formed into a planar or open position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the process of injection molding is particularly useful for quick and cheap construction of container 10. The flat initial construction of container 10 is also useful for storage and shipment prior to use, in connection with large retail orders.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, surfaces of panels 12, 24, 34, 44 and 46 are corrugated or fashioned in some other textured form so as to provide a design to container 10 in order to enhance its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the corrugated or textured surface improves the surfaces of panels 12, 24, 34, 44 and 46 such that they can be fitted with covers such as vinyl or leather covers. The corrugated or textured surfaces prevent such covers from sliding around on the panels and provide additional surface area for contact with adhesives.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a display ridge 64 is positioned on display panel 12 in order to support a removable display mount 66. Display ridge 64 is preferably positioned in the center of display panel 12, however it can be placed anywhere on the panel at the direction of the purchaser. Display mount 66 is configured to mount an item for sale such as jewelry in much the same way display panel 12 mounts a retail item. However, the use of the combined display mount 66 and display ridge 64 allows a greater versatility for the retailer to manipulate the use of container 10.

[0025] For example, in the course of business it may de desirable to arrange jewelry in some particular fashion. Without moving containers 10, the retailer could move some of the display mounts 66 from one display to another and simply mount them on the display ridges 64 of containers 10 in those other displays. Also, if a container 10 were to become broken as a result of over use, upon sale, the retailer could easily exchange display mount 66 from the damaged container 10 to a new container 10 without having to re-mount the jewelry.

[0026] The use of jewelry mount 66 and display ridge 64 are intended only as examples of possible embodiments for container 10 and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any similar container 10 having a display panel 12 for mounting retail items in any way, is within the contemplation of the present invention.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when a retailer receives container 10, a retail item is mounted on planar display side 14 of display panel 12. Alternatively, as pictured, the retail item is mounted onto display mount 66 which is then placed on display ridge 64 on planar display side 14 of display panel 12. It should be noted that the means used to mount jewelry or other retail items on display panel 12 do not affect the other aspects of the present invention, particularly, the ability of container 10 to function a both a display and storage container.

[0028] After the sales item is mounted container 10 is formed into its display position by folding upper panel 24, lower panel 34, and first and second triangular side panels 44 and 46 along the hinged connections with display panel 12 such that all the other panels fold behind the plane of display panel 12 and connect to form a triangular prism. In this display position, container 10 is positioned such that planar display side 14 of display panel 12 is outwardly displaying the retail item.

[0029] In the display position, upper edge 26 of upper panel 24 is connected along lower edge 38 of lower panel 34. First and second upper edges 48 and 50 of triangular side panels 44 and 46 are connected along first and second side edges 30 and 32 of upper panel 24. First and second lower edges 52 and 54 of triangular side panels 44 and 46 are connected along first and second side edges 40 and 42 of lower panel 34. Container 10 is held in this display position when latch connector 60 and latch acceptor 62 are connected. In this display position container 10 provides a stable means for displaying retail items for sale.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 3, after a retailer makes a sale or if the retailer decides to store the retail item, container 10, with a retail item still mounted on planar display side 14 of display panel 12, is placed into a storage position, protecting and securing the retail item. This is performed without any additional steps other than simply re-folding panels 24, 34, 44, and 46 from behind the plane of display panel 12 to in front of the plane of display panel 12.

[0031] When the item is sold or stored, container 10 is formed into its storage position by folding upper panel 24, lower panel 34, and first and second triangular side panels 44 and 46 along the hinged connections with display panel 12 such that all the other panels fold in front of the plane of display panel 12 and connect to form a triangular prism. In this storage position, container 10 is positioned such that planar display side 14 of display panel 12 is inwardly facing, protecting and securing the retail item.

[0032] In the display position, upper edge 26 of upper panel 24 is connected along lower edge 38 of lower panel 34. First and second upper edges 48 and 50 of triangular side panels 44 and 46 are connected along first and second side edges 30 and 32 of upper panel 24. First and second lower edges 52 and 54 of triangular side panels 44 and 46 are connected along first and second side edges 40 and 42 of lower panel 34. Container 10 is held in this display position when latch connector 60 and latch acceptor 62 are connected. In this storage position container 10 provides a stable means for protecting and securing the retail item for sale. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the use of display mount 66 by the retailer does not affect the storage function of container 10.

[0033] Thus, the present invention, as described above, provides container 10 which is configurable between a display position and storage position such that retailer can both display and store a retail item with container 10, where configuration between the two positions does not require the adjustment or attachment/re-attachment of the retail item.

[0034] While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container positionable between a storage position and a display position, said container comprising: a rectangular display panel having a planar display side for mounting an article to be displayed, upper and lower edges and first and second side edges; an upper rectangular panel having upper and lower edges and first and second side edges, said lower edge hingedly connected to said upper edge of said display panel; a lower rectangular panel having upper and lower edges and first and second side edges, said upper edge hingedly connected to said lower side edge of said display panel; first and second triangluar side panels, said triangular side panels each having an upper side edge, a lower side edge and a hypotenuse side, said hypotenuse sides of said first and second triangular side panels each hingedly connected to said respective first and second side edges of said rectangular display panel, so that when said container is oriented in said display position, said upper and lower rectangular panels and said first and second triangular side panels are positioned behind the plane of said display panel so that said upper edges of said first and second triangular side panels are coupled to said first and second side edges of said upper rectangular panel, said lower edges of said first and second triangular side panels are coupled to said first and second side edges of said lower rectangular panel and said upper edge of said upper rectangular panel is coupled to said lower edge of said lower rectangular panel forming a triangular prism where said display side of said rectangular display panel is outwardly facing; and when said container is oriented in said storage position, said upper and lower rectangular panels and said first and second triangular side panels are positioned in front of the plane of said display panel so that said upper edges of said first and second triangular side panels are coupled to said first and second side edges of said upper rectangular panel, said lower edges of said first and second triangular side panels are coupled to said first and second side edges of said lower rectangular panel and said upper edge of said upper rectangular panel is coupled to said lower edge of said lower rectangular panel forming a triangular prism where said display side of said rectangular display panel is inwardly facing.
 2. The container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display ridge disposed on said planar display side of said display panel.
 3. The container as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a display mount configured to be placed on said display ridge.
 4. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinged connections are living hinges.
 5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is made of plastic.
 6. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is one homogenous structure.
 7. The container as claimed in claim 6, wherein said container is injection molded.
 8. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper panel, said lower panel, and said triangular side panels have at least one textured surface.
 9. The container as claimed in claim 8, wherein textured surface is positioned opposite said planar display side of said display panel.
 10. The container as claimed in claim 9, where in said textured surface is covered with a polyvinyl aesthetic covering.
 11. The container as claimed in claim 9, where in said textured surface is covered with a leather aesthetic covering. 